At a Brazilian Locksmith: Ask to Copy a Key in Portuguese — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Find a chaveiro and explain what you need
A locksmith and locksmith shop are both commonly called chaveiro in Brazil. A key is a chave; a copy is a cópia. Show the key and ask whether that type can be copied. Some keys require authorization or special handling, so follow the shop’s requirements.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Você faz cópia deste tipo de chave? | Can you copy this type of key? |
| Preciso de uma cópia da minha chave de casa. | I need a copy of my house key. |
Ask how long it takes and what it costs
Use demora quanto tempo? to ask how long a service takes. Ask for the total before the work starts, especially if you need more than one copy.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Quanto custa cada cópia? | How much does each copy cost? |
| Fica pronta na hora? | Will it be ready right away? |
Test the copy and ask about a problem
When you collect the key, ask whether you can test it. If it does not work smoothly, describe the issue and ask the locksmith to check it. Keep the original key available so the shop can compare the copy.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Posso testar a cópia antes de ir embora? | Can I test the copy before I leave? |
| A chave está prendendo na fechadura. Você pode conferir? | The key is sticking in the lock. Could you check it? |
Remember: Chaveiro, cópia, and fechadura are useful words for a basic key-copying visit.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
Can you copy this type of key?
Show a Portuguese answer
Você faz cópia deste tipo de chave?
I need a copy of my house key.
Show a Portuguese answer
Preciso de uma cópia da minha chave de casa.
How much does each copy cost?
Show a Portuguese answer
Quanto custa cada cópia?
Will it be ready right away?
Show a Portuguese answer
Fica pronta na hora?
Can I test the copy before I leave?
Show a Portuguese answer
Posso testar a cópia antes de ir embora?
The key is sticking in the lock. Could you check it?
Show a Portuguese answer
A chave está prendendo na fechadura. Você pode conferir?
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
Chaveiro, cópia, and fechadura are useful words for a basic key-copying visit.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our At a Brazilian Locksmith: Ask to Copy a Key in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
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